A Woman of Affairs

1
The story of a gallant
lady - a lady who was
perhaps foolish and
reckless beyond need -
but withal a very gallant
         lady.

2
Of the mad Merricks, only
two were left - the gallant
lady and her brother Jeffry.
Let us first consider Jeffry,
idealist - hero-worshipper -

3
"Jeff, I wish you'd quit 
that stuff. You've
drunk half a bottle
  since dinner."

4
"I haven't caught up with 
Dad yet. He drank two 
bottles every day until he
        died."

5
"There are few chaps in
the world as fine as
you, David. I'm just a
Merrick -- our men all
   die drunkards."

6
"That's all rot, Jeff!
But I don't like to
see you drowning in
      alcohol."

7
"I want to be like you, 
David. To me you've
always stood for --
      decency."

8
"There's our tree,
    Neville."

9
"I've always loved that 
tree. Remember when
you first kissed me?"

10
"We were children --
you and David and 
I -- but even then
  I loved you."

11
"Come on, Neville --
I want you to win!"

12
"When I was a little girl
I said -- 'I must hurry
and grow up, so I can
marry Neville before
someone else gets him'."

13
"Darling, you knew 
there was never a 
chance of that!"

14
"So sorry to be late, David.
You and Jeffry shouldn't
have waited up for me."

15
"Beastly way to treat a
guest, Diana! I suppose
you were with Neville
Holderness -- as usual!"

16
"Don't mind Jeffry --
it's just his loyalty.
You're his hero -- I'm
  only his sister."

17
"David's been waiting
for you since seven
o'clock -- and he's
rowing for Cambridge
     tomorrow."

18
"Jeffry's right. I shouldn't
have kept you waiting.
It was beastly of me!"

19
"I didn't mind waiting,
Diana. I've waited
for you - so long."

20
To understand the Merricks,
one must know their friends.
First there was Dr. Hugh
Trevelyan -- who approved
       of them --

21
And there was Sir Morton
Holderness, who thoroughly
disapproved of them --

22
"How can I watch the 
races when you're
keeping a secret from
me? Tell me - I can't
       wait!"

23
"I've just been offered
a post with a new
syndicate in Egypt.
There's a chance to 
make a great deal of
     money --"

24
"Aren't you glad, Diana?
It means we'll be able to
marry as soon as I come 
         back."

25
"Your father planned it 
deliberately -- -- to
    separate us!"

26
"How can you sit there 
and coo - when David's
      winning!"

27
"Better watch the races.
  Never mind what's 
  happening inside!"

28
"If you loved me, Neville
- you'd marry me now
 - before you go."

29
"There's something more 
than love, Diana - -
there's pride, honor.
You're rich -- I'm poor.
I couldn't live on your 
       money."

30
"Suppose I said I wouldn't
wait - - that I'd marry
  David Furness? What
    would you do?"

31
"I'd marry you -- and
choke my pride! I'd
never let any other
  man have you!"

32
"Darling Neville - I knew
you'd say that. I don't
want any other man 
    but you."

33
"David's leading! He's
 got them all beat!"

34
"It's a secret, dearest Hugh 
- - but tomorrow night
my enemy, Sir Morton
Holderness, becomes my -
    father-in-law!"

35
"Great work, David!
I knew you'd do it!"

36
"My son, I'm not pleading 
with you -- I know you 
will do what is right.
Ten generations are
   watching you."

37
"I don't want to hurt 
you, Diana - but I must 
tell you -- Neville has 
   left for Egypt."

38
"You did this! You
deliberately sent
Neville away from
       me!"

39
"Yes, I sent Neville away!
My son has too much 
pride and honor to marry
a girl he can't support!"

40
"If you love him, you
won't mind waiting.
What are a few years 
  more or less?"

41
"A few years mean -
youth - love - dreams!
Neville may forget!"

42
"Frankly, I hope you both 
forget. I don't think a
son of mine could ever
be happy with a Merrick."

43
"You're young, Diana -
you will fall in love 
with someone else --"

44
"How little you know 
of love -- my kind of 
        love."

45
"Your honor is a little 
strange to me -- but I
have my honor, too.
I'll not stand in your 
       way."

46
Two years of reckless 
living -- a gallant lady
trying to forget. And
always there was 
David -- faithful --
secure -- waiting --

47
"Diana, I love you."

48
"You never once have
 said you love me."

49
"You are fine and honor-
able, David. I want to 
   make you happy."

50
The widow of David Furness 
faced a questioning world.
Why should a man -- happy
as David was -- take his own 
       life -- --?

51
"David's life was clear and 
open -- he had no reason 
   to commit suicide."

52
"No matter what happened,
I know this much - Diana
had nothing to do with it!"

53
"Of course Diana had 
nothing to do with it!
It was an accident!"

54
"David Furness was my 
best friend! I'm going
to find out the truth!"

55
"Mrs. Furness, from the
witnesses' statements,
there seems to be no 
doubt that this was
   an accident."

56
"Doctor Trevelyan's theory
is the most plausible --
a sudden dizzy spell --
perhaps a drink too much!"

57
"That's a lie - a rotten 
lie! Diana told you 
that! David never
     drank!"

58
"Yes, Jeffry, it's a lie!
David had not been 
   drinking!"

59
"Then am I to understand
that it was a deliberate
act on the part of the 
      deceased?"

60
"David wanted to die."

61
"But what possible motive
could the deceased have
         had?"

62
"David died for -- --
       decency."

63
"Bravo, David, bravo! You
    died for decency!"

64
"Don't touch me! Your
hands are covered with 
       blood!"

65
"I suppose you told David
what you had been before 
he married you -- and he
  couldn't stand it!"

66
"You--!"

67
"Did you hear what 
  he called me?"

68
"Remember your promise, 
Hugh. There are to be 
no more explanations.
Please look after Jeffry!"

69
"In view of what has
happened -- I think it
better you do not 
return to England."

70
"Mrs. Diana Furness returned
to England this morning.
Her first visit in seven
     years -- --"

71
"That's good for a 
story. Look up the
 files on her --"

72
"Please send for Doctor
Trevelyan. He's dining
  with Mr. Neville
    Holderness."

73
"To lovely Constance --
who honors the name
of Holderness by con-
senting to become
Neville's wife."

74
"Darling, you know it 
was Nevs who consented. I
simply wouldn't let him 
 alone until he did."

75
"Darling -- darling -- darling!
Only three more days! I'll
probably disgrace myself by
running down the aisle to
       meet you!"

76
"My dear - you're using
  too much lip rouge."

77
"Kiss me more often, Nevs
darling -- and you'll grow
       used to it."

78
"Hugh, you're my only 
friend in England.
Jeffry is ill - he won't 
see me or let me help 
       him."

79
"I must be excused.
A friend needs me."

80
"I say, Hugh -- you'll
have to tell a better 
   one than that."

81
"Diana Furness is here!
Her brother is ill --
     very ill."

82
"Diana Furness in London!
I marvel at her audacity!"

83
"Oh, I must see that 
fascinating woman! 
I've heard so much 
    about her!"

84
"Tell me some of the
gossips about her. It
must be perfectly 
   thrilling!"

85
"Dear Constance, one
doesn't know Diana
these days. She's
declass� - if you know
   what I mean."

86
"But I will say for Diana
-- once a man loves 
her -- he never forgets
        her."

87
"Don't say that! Nevs
was once in love with
        her."

88
"I haven't seen Mrs. Furness
for seven years -- -- long
before I met you, my dear."

89
"And that was only a 
silly boy and girl
attachment. Many
men have loved her 
   since then."

90
"Since we really know 
nothing about Mrs. 
Furness -- -- I hardly
think we have a right 
  to discuss her."

91
"I won't see Diana --
I won't see her! I'll
     die first!"

92
"Hugh, do all you can 
for him -- and let me 
  know how he is."

93
"And this is Constance - ?"

94
"I read about your engage-
   ment. When is the 
       wedding?"

95
"In three days."

96
"Her eyes are so true 
-- and clean. They 
 frighten me --"

97
"Your ring is loose."

98
"I've been told I am
like this ring -- apt
     to fall --"

99
"-- but with a little
effort I can keep the
 ring from falling."

100
"Did you love those 
    other men?"

101
"No - - I always felt
 unfaithful to you."

102
"Do you expect me to 
believe that -- now?"

103
"Neville, I have never
said 'I love you' to
any man -- but you!"

104
"Why - why did I ever
    let you go?"

105
"Yes -- -- why?"

106
"Where is Diana -- ?"

107
"Her brother - is dead."

108
"When did he die?"

109
"A little after midnight."

110
"Why the deep and tragic 
    sigh, my sweet?"

111
"I've just realized that in
three months we'll be
married a whole year."

112
"Darling, do you still 
love me as much as 
      ever?"

113
"Mrs. Furness is an 
old friend. I think 
 you ought to go."

114
"I'll have your bags 
      packed."

115
"Will you come with 
  me, Constance?"

116
"Of course, if you
     want me."

117
"I thought you'd come,
Neville. I depended 
upon the Holderness
  honor for that."

118
"The only thing that can
save her is knowing that
someone for whom she 
cares -- -- wants her to
         live."

119
"Diana always seemed so 
alive -- -- so vital. How
could she give up -- --
      like this?"

120
"You mean to say --
you didn't know?"

121
"Don't keep flowers in
      the room."

122
"Constance is outside.
Will you go and talk 
      to her?"

123
"It was only honorable
 to bring her along."

124
"Oh, yes -- honor. We
mustn't forget that."

125
"Hugh -- why did you
   send for Nevs?"

126
"Does he still love --
    Mrs. Furness?"

127
"He loves you,
 Constance."

128
"He loves her -- he can't
help himself! And I can't
     help him -- !"

129
"Hugh, she hasn't stirred!
I can't make her recognize
          me."

130
"There's no use waiting 
now. Perhaps, if you 
came back in a few 
     hours --"

131
"Where are my
  flowers?"

132
"I woke up -- and you
weren't there. I don't
want much -- -- only
    you -- -- !"

133
"Neville, my dreams are 
answered! I'll get well 
now - - if you don't
     leave me."

134
"Of course I won't
    leave you."

135
"Hugh, I'm happy --
   so happy --"

136
"Who is that girl? Why
does she stare at me?"

137
"I know those eyes -
true, clean eyes!
You're Constance - ?"

138
"I was talking nonsense
a moment ago. I'm not
in love with Neville --
   really I'm not."

139
"And Neville doesn't love 
   me -- not one bit."

140
"Thank you so much 
for coming. You've 
   helped me."

141
"She needed a shock 
like this to bring her 
       back."

142
"You've been drinking 
far too much lately."

143
"What difference does it 
make? What difference 
does anything make?"

144
"You look charming, my 
dear. I suppose that's
one of the gowns you
 bought in Paris!"

145
"You've never told me 
anything about that 
trip to Paris. Didn't 
   you enjoy it?"

146
"Don't act as though 
she hasn't told you 
 the whole mess."

147
"I have neither asked 
Constance - nor has
   she told me."

148
"Forgive me, Constance -
I'm a cad! I should
know you wouldn't say
     anything."

149
"My nerves have gone 
to pieces -- I'm going 
 out -- somewhere."

150
"If we're to help Neville -
I must have the truth.
Did he see Mrs. Furness
     in Paris?"

151
"It isn't their fault! They
love each other -- they
can't help it! It's driving
        Nevs mad!"

152
"You were a dear to 
bring me back, Hugh.
It's so good to be in 
   England again."

153
"I do hope you won't be 
criticized for smuggling me 
     in like this."

154
"When I think of the brave
gesture you've made -- --
anything I may do seems
        small."

155
"He mustn't know I'm
       here."

156
"Invite me in, Hugh!
Let me talk to you 
  -- please!"

157
"I didn't mean to come 
here -- -- I started
   driving -- --"

158
"You're the only one 
I can talk to, Hugh -
and I must talk to 
    someone!"

159
"Diana!"

160
"I'm going mad! I'm
rotten to Constance
 -- to everyone!"

161
"You should have thought 
of all this ten years ago --
when you gave up Diana
for your father's honor."

162
"My father was right, 
wasn't he? She's
been everything he
said she would be!"

163
"She's killing me -- as
surely as she killed
   David Furness!"

164
"I'm sick of this David
Furness mess! Diana
ruined her life to keep
his name clean -- to
save Jeffry's ideal."

165
"What do you mean?"

166
"Diana made me swear 
not to tell. She'd never
forgive me if she knew
I'd told even this much."

167
"Diana -- let me talk
with you -- I want to
tell you how wrong
   I've been --"

168
"I've listened to others 
too long - - now I'm
going to think of our 
   happiness - -"

169
"Is there a chance, 
 Diana? Can you 
  forgive me?"

170
"But what of Constance?"

171
"I've only made Constance
unhappy. She knows I
     love you."

172
"But your father --
   your career?"

173
"They don't matter, Diana -
nothing matters but you!
I'm going to prove that
       to you!"

174
"You knew she'd come.
Diana was never a 
    coward."

175
"I have come, Morton --
because you asked me.
But nothing you can
say will change me --
   this time."

176
"Diana, I have always 
thought of you as
having a 'gentleman's'
     honor."

177
"Once I was sacrificed to
what you call -- honor.
And bitter unhappiness
came of it -- for Neville
-- for Constance -- and
       myself."

178
"Are you blaming me for 
your unhappiness? Did
I cause David Furness'
      death?"

179
"Perhaps I shouldn't
have said that. But
you admitted that
David died for -- --
     decency."

180
"It can't go on -- this
slandering of Diana!
I'll tell you why David
    Furness died!"

181
"Neville, please -- that
is one thing that must
   never be told."

182
"I'm going to make 
these people respect 
   you as I do!"

183
"I'll tell you what your 
saintly David was! He 
    was a thief!"

184
"He'd been embezzling 
for months -- -- he'd
  taken thousands!"

185
"He killed himself because
he was going to prison!
Diana paid his thefts --
and kept his name clean!
   That's decency!"

186
"So that is why you 
came back to me?
You cared whether 
they respected me or 
       not."

187
"You've taken from me 
the only gracious thing
   I've ever done."

188
"I wanted them to 
know you as I 
know you, Diana."

189
"Diana - I want to take
your hand. You are
      good."

190
"No, Morton - I am myself.
It is Constance who is 
good. Constance -- --
      is good."

191
"Diana told me your 
     secret --"

192
"Do you think I could
 leave you - - now?"

193
"But it's a lie! Diana
told you that to send
   you back to me."

FADE OUT

The End